This morning the Appeal Court in London unanimously quashed the Government’s decision to close the Independent Living Fund on the grounds that it breached the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Although this ruling is a very positive development, one victory does not win a war! Solicitors Louise Whitfield, Diane Astin and Kate Whittaker and barrister David Wolfe QC have given us this opportunity through their commitment and tireless work, helped by the intervention of the EHRC and the hard work of a small group of claimants, ILF users and activists.

It is now up to the Disabled People’s Movement to intensify its campaign to save the Independent Living Fund and defend independent living rights with the support of the PCS union and all those opposed to closure

Well done to all those who have worked tirelessly for this victory.

We hope that those Disabled Peoples’ Organisations that stayed silent will now join us in this fight for disabled peoples’ rights to independent living

A curious piece by Patrick Butler with quotes from a large disability Charity and Jane Young for no apparent reason we can think of -we asked if Mr Butler would like to talk to any people actually involved in supporting the past three years of the ILF campaign. He responded to tell us the ‘onus’ was on DPAC to get in touch with him and apparently not on him to contact us….

3 Responses to “updated: Appeal Court Quash decision to close Independent Living Fund!!”

I’ll never meet Louise, Diane, Kate and David, but am eternally grateful for the progress they have made with regards to them challenging the Conservative and Lib Dem Coalition’s decision to close the ILF. It doesn’t directly affect me, but it gives me hope that all these terrible injustices will one day be overturned. How anybody with a heart cannot feel the pain, hurt, desolation, isolation etc of millions of people affected by these cruel cut backs, is way beyond my ‘conscience’ thinking.